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Select Layer By Attribute (Data Management Tools)

Summary

Adds, updates, or removes a selection based on an attribute query.

Usage

  • If the input is a feature class or dataset path, this tool will create and return a new layer with the result of the tool applied.

  • If a definition query is present on the input, only the features or rows matching the definition query will be used in the selection.

  • The number of selected records will be listed in the geoprocessing history. Click Parameters > Count to access them. Additionally, the Get Count tool can be used to count the number of selected records. From Python, the number of selected records can also be accessed from the tool's Result object.

  • When applying selections, a selection of zero records is possible. For example, selecting a field value that is not present, results in a selection of zero records. A geoprocessing tool using the layer as input will use no records from the input.

  • The field delimiters used in an SQL expression differ depending on the format of the queried data. For instance, file geodatabases and shapefiles use double quotes, and enterprise geodatabases don't use field delimiters. You can use the AddFieldDelimiters function to help ensure that the field delimiters used with the SQL expression are correct.

  • If the input's data source is a feature service, it is recommended that the underlying ArcGIS Server use standardized SQL queries.

Parameters

Label Explanation Data type

Input Rows

The data to which the selection will be applied.

Table View; Raster Layer; Mosaic Layer

Selection Type

(Optional)

Specifies how the selection will be applied and what to do if a selection already exists.

  • New selection—The resulting selection will replace the current selection. This is the default.

  • Add to the current selection—The resulting selection will be added to the current selection if one exists. If no selection exists, this is the same as the new selection option.

  • Remove from the current selection—The resulting selection will be removed from the current selection. If no selection exists, this option has no effect.

  • Select subset from the current selection—The resulting selection will be combined with the current selection. Only records that are common to both remain selected.

  • Switch the current selection—The selection will be switched. All records that were selected will be removed from the current selection, and all records that were not selected will be added to the current selection. The Expression parameter is ignored when this option is specified.

  • Clear the current selection—The selection will be cleared or removed. The Expression parameter is ignored when this option is specified.

String

Expression

(Optional)

An SQL expression used to select a subset of records.

SQL Expression

Invert Where Clause

(Optional)

Specifies whether the expression will be used as is, or the opposite of the expression will be used.

  • Checked—The opposite of the query will be used. If the selection_type parameter is used, the reversal of the selection occurs before it is combined with existing selections.

  • Unchecked—The query will be used as is. This is the default.

Boolean

Derived output

Label Explanation Data type

Updated Layer Or Table View

The updated inputs with selections applied.

Table View; Raster Layer; Feature Layer

Count

The number of selected records.

Long

Environments

This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments.

Licensing information

  • Basic: Yes
  • Standard: Yes
  • Advanced: Yes